Observer-Reporter forum

Brant · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:

I think SSSS overstates the intelligence of whitetail deer. They have a tremendous sense of smell, but beyond that, I don't find them to be more "intelligent" than a raccoon or a crow. I am in no way anti-hunting, despite the poor behavior of a growing number of hunters (it's not just hunters; it's a general degeneration of our society). But I think hunters tend to glorify the animal and its attributes in order to heighten their level of achievement in shooting one of the creatures. I imagine that if the deer had opposable thumbs, firearms and knowledge of their proper use, we'd see a lot fewer hunters in the woods. Wink

_________________

The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

freethinker · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

Thank you, SSSS for your educated response....And I admit that the flaw in my logic may be my personal inexperience with the survival ability of deer...If I include them in the category with foxes and ravens by virtue of their intelligence, then my position becomes invalid..
--------
And I certainly did not mean to imply that the Game Commission was feeding the deer in order to maintain the necessity of having a Game Commission...They would never do that...
--------
And I will take your advice and learn more about deer before I comment again....
Hopefully, I won't hit one on the way to the library
_________________
where-ever you get it - there you have it. - Anon.

SSSS · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

With the deer's sense of smell and their ability to hide in plain sight, if they had guns the hunter population would be wiped out in two seasons
_________________

Brant · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:45 pm Post subject:

_________________

The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

SSSS · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject:

I should also add-when the bucks are in the "rut" which just ended, they, just like all males, are dumber than hell with only one thing on their mind and the blood flowing to the wrong part of the body (away from the brain!)
_________________

amom · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:

We have six or seven doe that hang out by our apple trees and lake. (I'm sure there is a buck somewhere around, but he is rarely seen.) We caught on years ago that if we plant two or three times the amount of garden, we get what we want and the deer get the rest. No use fighting them. Smile

_________________
-amom

"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"

- Will Rogers

SSSS · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject:

brant-you make a valid point of amplifying the deers abilities to heighten the sense of accomplishment. I think it is true of some hunters. If you sit along a road in a field near Washington Cemetary and shoot a buck you are really not accomplishing much as a sportsman. But if you get up in the big woods where the deer are at home and wildf as hell there IS a sense of accomplishment in harvesting such an animal. I guess it is all perception.
I feel the same way about PA elk hunting-I have a camp right in the heart of the elk herd-had four bulls in our back yard last Friday night-and shooting them is as much of a challenge as shooting a cow at an auction. But climb a mountain in Wyoming on horseback and kill one and you have really done something.
_________________

Brant · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

Good point, SSSS. The circumstances of a hunt do make a difference.
_________________

The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

I recall either Bush or Cheney hunting on a fenced in farm in Texas. I thought, whats the fun in that? It was probably a 5,000 acre farm, but still, it raises deer, fences them in, and then takes you out with a guide. Like you said, perception.
_________________

Proud Member NDA

Its okay to eat fish because they don't have any feelings.

Puff. Puff. Give.

amom · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

Is there any reason a deer rifle needs to be this powerful?

Brant · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:15 am Post subject:

If you're really good, you can take down a deer with a punkinball or a .22 Hornet.
_________________

The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

SSSS · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:32 pm Post subject:

bus-he absolutely will!!
No mom-it does not take a super magnum rifle to down a white tail.
_________________

busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

Brant · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject:

Maybe because the higher-powered rifles make up for their inability to make a good shot.
_________________

The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson